SB QST @ ARL $ARLB009   
   ARLB009 FCC Seeks Higher Vanity Call Sign Fee   
      
   ZCZC AG09   
   QST de W1AW     
   ARRL Bulletin 9  ARLB009   
   From ARRL Headquarters     
   Newington CT  May 7, 2012   
   To all radio amateurs    
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB009   
   ARLB009 FCC Seeks Higher Vanity Call Sign Fee   
      
   The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on May 4,   
   seeking to raise the fee for Amateur Radio vanity call signs.  The   
   NPRM can be found in PDF format on the web at,   
   http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0   
   04/FCC-12-48A1.   
   pdf.   
      
   Currently, a vanity call sign costs $14.20 and is good for 10 years;   
   the new fee, if the FCC plan goes through, will go up to $15 for 10   
   years, an increase of 80 cents. The FCC is authorized by the   
   Communications Act of 1934 (as amended) to collect vanity call sign   
   fees to recover the costs associated with that program.   
      
   The vanity call sign fee has fluctuated over the 14 years of the   
   current program -- from a low of $11.70 in 2007 to a high of $70 (as   
   first proposed in the FCC's 1994 Report and Order).  The FCC said it   
   anticipates some 14,300 Amateur Radio vanity call sign "payment   
   units," or applications, during the next fiscal year, collecting   
   214,500 dollars in fees from the program.   
      
   The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when   
   applying for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity   
   call sign for a new term. The first vanity call sign licenses issued   
   under the current Amateur Radio vanity call sign program that began   
   in 1996 came up for renewal six years ago.   
      
   Those holding vanity call signs issued prior to 1993 are exempt from   
   having to pay the vanity call sign regulatory fee at renewal, as   
   Congress did not authorize the FCC to collect regulatory fees until   
   1996. Such "heritage" vanity call sign holders do not appear as   
   vanity licensees in the FCC Amateur Radio database.   
      
   Amateur Radio licensees may file for renewal only within 90 days of   
   their license expiration date. All radio amateurs must have an FCC   
   Registration Number (FRN) before filing any application with the   
   Commission. Applicants can obtain an FRN by going to the ULS web   
   site at, http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home and clicking   
   on the "New Users Register" link. You must supply your Social   
   Security Number to obtain an FRN.   
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
   ---   
                                   ========   
      
   IF you have questions or concerns regarding the accuracy   
   of information posted, or the opinions expressed, contact the content   
   originators directly.   All publications retransmitted as   
   fidonet echomail without alteration other than the removal of   
   email header and other control information which   
   is not part of the actual publication.   
      
   We invite you to use and support the ham-fdn!   
   The ham-fdn is coordinated by Mark LEwis at fidonet 1:3634/12.  Contact him   
   for further   
   information about ham-fdn file echoes.  Announcements of newly   
   hatched ham-fdn files can be seen in the echoes ham and ham_tech.   
      
   THe ham-fdn is distributed by the International FIlegate project.   
   Ham-fdn file echoes are available from major hubs.  Bbs users with an   
   interest in these file echoes should ask your sysop to carry them.   
      
   Users and sysops with materials appropriate for distribution   
   via the ham-fdn should contact the coordinator for submission   
   guidelines at the above shown address.  IF you have access to   
   shareware programs that would be useful to radio amateurs,   
   or other files which may be appropriate use the back channel   
   area to submit them.  IF you are not sure how to accomplish this   
   contact the fdn coordinator, or ask your local bbs sysop.   
      
      
   ---   
    * Origin: RRN BBS: Your fidonet ham radio connection! (1:116/901)